By
Jonathan Turner And Fiona Sharpe
Are street protests the right way to fight back?
October 15, 2015 10:17
2 min read
By
Jonathan Turner And Fiona Sharpe
Yes
says Fiona Sharpe
Last Thursday an Israeli owned shop closed its doors early for fear of protests from the BDS movement.
Just think about the significance of that. If we read that an Indian-owned business had not opened because of threats from Britain First, a far-right British nationalist group, we would be rightly outraged. So would the media. And yet the case of Sabon in Covent Garden seems to trouble no one.
Why not? Maybe because we are becoming used to the narrative that Israel is responsible for all that is wrong in the world. Maybe we can't find a way to argue against this racist hatred. Maybe people are tired of fighting BDS. Or maybe, as was the case for Sussex Friends of Israel and many of our colleagues, we were stunned that an Israeli-owned business had given in to these bullies.
This comes on the heels of a rally outside Downing Street only last month where a large number of the Jewish community stood up to the Israel haters in a way not seen for many years. We were loud and proud and while our numbers will never match theirs, we certainly matched their passion. And then we heard Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that British Jews should fight back against the BDS. But how can we when Israeli businesses give in so easily?
Its a difficult line to straddle for the pro-Israel activist community. We try to respect the wishes of businesses and understand that protests and counter-protests aren't good for trade.
But at a time when Israelis are being murdered in the streets, when the media seems only able to empathise with the perpetrators, it is down to us to use protest to ensure that legitimate, honest businesses are not forced to shut their doors by boycotters spreading lies and hatred.
And it is up to us to ensure passers-by know that there are two sides to every issue. If we don't do that, who will?
Fiona Sharpe is co-chair of Sussex Friends of Israel
Sometimes
says Jonathan Turner
At UK Lawyers for Israel we have been able to see these situations from a number of perspectives, which puts us in a particularly good position to assess how best to tackle them.
Our members have advised retailers, defended activists, made representations to the police and landlords, and consulted with the Israeli embassy and other pro-Israel organisations.
Counter-demonstrations by supporters of Israel can easily be counterproductive, by encouraging our enemies, adding to the obstruction, and drawing more attention to the anti-Israel demonstration.
On the other hand, the pro-Israel demonstrations outside the Kedem store in Manchester last year were an excellent example of when and how to do it - when it is really necessary and effective to enable shoppers to have access to the targeted retailer; carefully controlled in co-ordination with the shop and consultation with the police, elected representatives, and neighbouring shops; and well organised so that our people are in the right position at the right time (which may mean getting up earlier than our opponents).
Above all, we must stay on the right side of the law and the police. Let our opponents make the mistakes which lead to helpful intervention by the authorities.
Demonstrators have a right to express their views, but shoppers and shops equally have rights not to be obstructed, harassed, intimidated or disrupted as they go about their lawful business.
The police have a difficult job of upholding these rights. Help them, and they will help us.
Jonathan Turner is chair of UK Lawyers for Israel
